THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13757, 23 May 1908, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

Weather conditions continue most favourable, for making permanent improvements and alterations in the garden and grounds, such as; the formation of new lawns and topdressing, and renovating those that have been previously laid down, relevelling and filling up any depressions and inequalities to produce a level surface, and finally resowing with fresh seed; also for draining, trenching, making walks and drives, and the general planning and laying out- of new places, as well as for digging over the beds and borders, and regulating the growth of the shrubs and other plants by pruning and cutting back, and in the treatment of some herbaceous perennials, such as golden glow, perennial asters, and sunflowers. that have spread' over a considerable space, by taking the clumps up or cutting portions away with the spade to bring them into smaller dimensions. Lift all of the chrysanthemums that are scattered here and there throughout the borders, and plant in a bed together, as previously recommended. Attend to the various edgings by weeding and cleaning, and where necessary taking the plants up and relaying them. Autumn-sown annuals have had a good chance to grow and become established. The various clumps should, be properly thinned, to give the individual plants sufficient 1 room to develop. Thinning seedlings is too often neglected. It is a most important operation, and necessary for the production of good results. When the seedlings are allowed to grow crowded together the plants make thin, weak growth, without branching, and do not flower for as long a period as they would when given proper room. Early-sown sweet peas should be large enough to have the stakes or other support provided. The surface soil should be occasionally stirred to keep down seedling weeds and break the crust. It is surprising the good effect this has upon the well-being of the plants. .Carnations are benefited by dusting a little lime over the foliage and ground around them. This has a splendid effect in keeping the foliage healthy and checking insects. The exceptionally mild weather has brought an early display of bloom of paper-white narcissus, and has greatly prolonged the blooming of annuals and other flowering plants, notably the different sort of scarlet salvias, which remain a gorgeous profusion of colour. Bouvardias also make a splendid display. THE KITCHEN" GARDEN. Conditions are also exceptionally favourable for . this department. Autumn-sown seeds have had a good time, and the young seedlings are growing rapidly. Attend to keeping the soil amongst them free from weeds and hoed between the rows. Also thin out the seedlings to proper distances apart. Sow onions for spring planting, and make suecessional sowings of turnips. Select hardier sorts for present sowings. Those portions of the kitchen garden • that have been manured and trenched or dug,_ and are not required for immediate cropping with vegetables should be sown down in oats. Treated in this manner prevents the surface of the land from becoming beaten with the heavy winter rains, besides keeping weeds down that would otherwise take possession. and be hard to get rid of when the ground was wanted for spring cropping. THE ORCHARD. In the older orchards there is much work requiring attention., The difficulties met with in the cultivation of many orchard fruits necessitates the thorough cleaning and dressing of the trees during their season of .rest, when the trees .can be treated with stronger solutions than when carrying their foliage. Numbers of those pests that at- e tack the trees and fruits secrete themselves in the loose bark, while fungoid and other diseases remain simply dormant during the winter months, and are ready to attack the trees agaiu in spring with renewed vigour if left unmolested. By dressing the trees thoroughly during their season of rest large i numbers of the worst pests of the orchard can be almost eradicated. In many wellkept commercial orchards the codlin moth has without doubt been greatly reduced both by syringing and by trapping with cloth or other material used for the purpose. This. however, is not sufficient", for no matter how carefully watched numbers of the grub escape and hide themselves in the hart of the trees. Syringing during the winter with a. strong emulsion has the advantage of not only reaching and destroying many of. the grubs, but if thoroughly done it deprives the insects of the harbours .so readily found in neglected orchards, as the solution has the

effect of claming the tree* of parasitic growths, and will leave the bark clean and smooth, There WW various form* of dressing v"": forward by "■the Government Horn* cultural Department in pamphlet form, with full directions when and how to apply. The lime, salt, and milphnr solution w, however, without doubt the best of all for winter dressing. It has the advantage of being, a splendid fungicide, while it is fatal to most insect life, and up to the present Juts no rival for destroying and removing all mow, lichen, an« other growth* that add to tun harbours for the various pest*. Trees that have ceased to produce crops and bscotoe unprofitable should bo grubbed out, and the space made ready for other kinds'. It may not be necessary in every instance to, grab out the trees,' for if they are healthy, time and labour would be saved by heading back and regrafting in spring with other suitable varieties. This, however, is useless if the trees have become old and rough, a* the roots will probably lie. in an unhealthy condition, and fail to give good results even if the grafts take. Kepos-